Unbeaten colt Dubious has met every challenge so far in his short career and co-trainer David Eustace is hopeful that continues in the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast.
Dubious won the Group Three Breeders’ Plate in Sydney on debut in late September and then resumed from a break with another victory in a 1000m race for juveniles at Eagle Farm on December 22 to confirm his status as one of the main Magic Millions contenders.
A capacity field of 16 plus five emergencies has been declared for Saturday’s $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) with the barrier draw to be conducted on Tuesday.
The unbeaten Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Unite And Conquer was the $5 favourite on Monday ahead of fellow unbeaten stablemate Czarson ($5.50).
Yes Yes Yes and Exhilarates were at $6 with Dubious $7.50.
Eustace, who trains in partnership with Ciaron Maher, said Dubious looked in great shape.
“He had a bit of maintenance work on Saturday and he’ll gallop on the course proper at the Gold Coast on Tuesday morning,” Eustace said.
“Fingers crossed nothing has gone wrong, which is always a bit of a worry. But it has gone very smoothly. So we just need to draw a gate now.
“(The Magic Millions) has been the plan the whole way through, again with the Golden Slipper beyond that in mind.
“Hopefully it comes off.”
Eustace says Dubious has always shown natural talent and professionalism from his first jump-out and he believes the colt will have improved from his recent win in Brisbane and be better suited up to 1200m.
Dubious won the Eagle Farm race by a neck but Eustace believes the win was more impressive than the margin suggests given the colt was giving weight to his rivals.
“He was drawn wide, he sat wide and he’ll improve a lot going 1200 metres,” he said.
“We’re confident we’ll see the best of him at that trip as well.”
